Scars can develop after any surgical procedure. In most cases, surgical scars can be minimized through the use of various incision techniques and treatments applied during the healing process.

But what happens if your scar starts to keloid? Chances are that you want to avoid having any visibility of your scars after your surgery.

The following will help you understand what keloids are, how to identify them, and what you can do to treat them.

What Are Keloids?

Scars form as a result of trauma to the skin. This includes surgery as well as injuries related to burns and acne. The formation of scars is a natural healing process and occurs when collagen-rich cells work to replace injured tissues.

The ways in which scars heal depend on a number of factors such as skin type, the level of injury, age, and genetics.

Keloid scars develop when scar tissue forms in excessive amounts. They present no immediate threat to the body, but they can produce discomfort. Symptoms such as tenderness, itching, and pain can be present when keloids form.

In addition, keloids can spread to areas other than the site of treatment. Their growth can extend to a period of years, and people with darker skin colour tend to have a higher risk of developing keloids.

Nutritional Support for Preventing Keloids

Keloids are further exacerbated by inflammation. Therefore, reducing inflammation is a key step in preventing the development of uncomfortable keloid scars.

A healthy diet delivers the nutrients needed to support healing. Protein helps the body repair tissue by providing amino acids, which are the necessary components to tissue development.

Nutrient deficiencies can slow down the healing process. Individuals who have low levels of zinc, for example, may reduce their body’s ability to develop collagen and ward off infection.

Treatment for Keloid Scars

There are various treatments available for keloids. These include laser treatments, the use of cortisone injections, and surgery. Cortisone minimizes the development of keloids while laser treatments can remove excess scar tissue.

Using steroid injections for keloids works by reducing the growth of fibroblast. This inhibits collagen deposition and has been proven to effectively treat keloid scars.

There are some potential side effects when using steroid injections such as reduced pigmentation and the dilation of blood vessels around the treatment site.

Also, some patients may combine various treatments for better results. This is usually required in more severe cases in which one or two treatments have proven to be ineffective.

Consulting with your doctor will help you determine the best options for your needs. Every individual is unique, the potential to develop keloid scars will not be the same for everyone.

Knowing how to recognize keloid scars will help you apply the right treatments as soon as possible. You’ll reduce scarring and enhance the results from your surgery.